Tea Party Leader Arrested At Airport

(I'm not normally a fan of federal regulation, but in this case, there are some wrinkles between state laws that need to be ironed out. This is crazy.)

Tea Party Leader Mark Meckler Arrested With Handgun At Airport

Mark Meckler, co-founder of the Tea Party Patriots and one of the most prominent spokesmen for the grassroots movement, was arrested at LaGuardia Airport on Thursday after trying to check in a handgun on his flight.
According to the Queens District Attorney’s office, Meckler arrived at the airport with the gun, a Glock 27, and ammunition locked in a safe and presented it to the flight attendant at the Delta counter. He allegedly told authorities that he needed the gun for protection after receiving threats, but did not have a New York State license to carry the weapon. He’s being charged with second degree possession of an illegal weapon, a charge that carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison.
“Before leaving home, passengers should acquaint themselves with the weapon laws of the jurisdiction that they are visiting and comply with any and all legal requirements if they choose to travel with a weapon,” Queens DA Richard Brown said in a statement. “Otherwise, they may find themselves being arrested and charged with a felony - as is what occurred in this case.”
Meckler’s lawyer did not dispute the basic facts of the story, but said that his client followed routine procedure for transporting a weapon. In an e-mail to reporters, attorney Brian Stapleton wrote:

“Mark Meckler, an attorney and National Coordinator for Tea Party Patriots, who holds a concealed-carry permit from the state of California, today was charged with a firearms violation at LaGuardia Airport in New York City. While in temporary transit through the state of New York in possession of an unloaded, lawful firearm that was locked in a TSA-approved safe, he legally declared his possession of the firearm in his checked baggage at the ticket counter as required by law and in a manner approved by TSA and the airline, yet was arrested by port authority for said possession.​

A spokesman for the Queens DA, Kevin Ryan, told TPM that the legal issue wasn’t whether Meckler followed airline regulations regarding safe transportation of a handgun, the issue was that he did not have a carry permit for New York state, which has strict requirements for handguns.
“We get 50 or 60 case a year of people transporting weapons at the airport which may be legal in their state, but because they’re not licensed for New York they run into trouble,” Ryan said.

"The unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates

“It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere.” - Voltaire

"It's not what you look at that's important; it's what you see." - Thoreau

"I prefer peace. But if trouble must come, let it come in my time, so that my children can live in peace." - Paine

"Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear." - Jefferson

I just wonder if this wasn't planned because a man such as this should have known about NY being a lcokdown state when it comes to firearms. It is becoming imposible to do the right thing in this world today. I know when I first came to this site I was on a post and someone said "They are working to make the honest, lawful citizens criminal's" I think that is one of the truest statements I've read. One thing I've noticed is alot of time we argue over our rights being taken by Big Brother, I've done a little research and I think Little Brother has been slipping in under the radar. These States, County towns and cities are taking right's after right's from us and by the time we hear about it. Someone is going to jail the law has been in affect for a long time. How can New York or any other state tell a lawful American who can legally own a firearm you can not possess it in this state. The 2nd Adm dosen't say oh you don't have the right here or there. It says the right to bear arms. These states are sliding in the same laws we are fighting Big Brother over. Why is it not against my right to transport my firearm that I legally own and have a CCW permit to do so and I have followed all saftey guidlines ( Which I agree with the saftey end) then I am charged with a crime? Most cities has a law against assembly My state says if more than three people gather on a street I can charge the with gathering with intent to start a riot. Now aint that some $h!t? I meen if we heard that Big Brother was passing that law we would do everything to stop it but our state,cities and town are sneaking them in under us. It makes me wonder if Little Brother is selling us out to Big Brother. Just take a little time and look through your local laws State, County and city. You will see what Im talking about.

"If the Constitution and the Union established by our forefathers" were "restored" then there will be no truer supporters of that union and that Constitution than the Southern people. Every brave people who considered their rights attacked and their Constitutional liberties invaded, would have done as we did. Our conduct was not caused by any insurrectionary spirit nor can it be termed rebellion, for our construction of the Constitution under which we lived and acted was the same from its adoption and for eighty years we have been taught and educated by the founders of the Republic and their written declaration which controlled our consciences and actions."(General R.E. Lee)

I just wonder if this wasn't planned because a man such as this should have known about NY being a lcokdown state when it comes to firearms. It is becoming imposible to do the right thing in this world today. I know when I first came to this site I was on a post and someone said "They are working to make the honest, lawful citizens criminal's" I think that is one of the truest statements I've read. One thing I've noticed is alot of time we argue over our rights being taken by Big Brother, I've done a little research and I think Little Brother has been slipping in under the radar. These States, County towns and cities are taking right's after right's from us and by the time we hear about it. Someone is going to jail the law has been in affect for a long time. How can New York or any other state tell a lawful American who can legally own a firearm you can not possess it in this state. The 2nd Adm dosen't say oh you don't have the right here or there. It says the right to bear arms. These states are sliding in the same laws we are fighting Big Brother over. Why is it not against my right to transport my firearm that I legally own and have a CCW permit to do so and I have followed all saftey guidlines ( Which I agree with the saftey end) then I am charged with a crime? Most cities has a law against assembly My state says if more than three people gather on a street I can charge the with gathering with intent to start a riot. Now aint that some $h!t? I meen if we heard that Big Brother was passing that law we would do everything to stop it but our state,cities and town are sneaking them in under us. It makes me wonder if Little Brother is selling us out to Big Brother. Just take a little time and look through your local laws State, County and city. You will see what Im talking about.

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I know of some cities in the region that have similar laws to what you mentioned. For example Sidney, Ohio can detain a group of three or more walking down the street for suspected gang activity. Sure it's a great way to combat gangs, but the what if's scare the hell out of me. People don't seem to understand that the intent of the law is nothing but a marketing strategy and that once in place misuse can and does occur.

Thats it misuse, I wouldn't but I could lawfully go and arrest the old ladies standing and talking infront of the church and charge them. There are most of the time 8 or 9 of them and they stand out there talking I've seen them stand there an hour. One Dept. I worked for had a law for only one area of the town. Any 2 or more standing on the street in the West end of town after 9pm could be searched. Due to the area having high drug activity and given it worked sometimes but alot of times some guy's misused it. The old guy's used it as the crow pole Im talking 60 and 70 year old church going guy's who just stood there and told stories and lie's. I knew most of them and alot of them would give me a little info on the side. They wanted the streets cleaned up too, but one day they were standing there talking politics and the power's to be heard comments next thing you know the Mayors A$$ kisses were over searching the old guy's. Our Right are good and protected across this Great Nation not just where we live.

"If the Constitution and the Union established by our forefathers" were "restored" then there will be no truer supporters of that union and that Constitution than the Southern people. Every brave people who considered their rights attacked and their Constitutional liberties invaded, would have done as we did. Our conduct was not caused by any insurrectionary spirit nor can it be termed rebellion, for our construction of the Constitution under which we lived and acted was the same from its adoption and for eighty years we have been taught and educated by the founders of the Republic and their written declaration which controlled our consciences and actions."(General R.E. Lee)

"The American people will never knowingly adopt Socialism. But under the name of 'liberalism' they will adopt every fragment of the Socialist program, until one day America will be a Socialist nation, without knowing how it happened."

Nikita Khrushchev:

"We cannot expect Americans to jump from capitalism to Communism, but we can assist their elected leaders in giving Americans doses of socialism until they suddenly awake to find out they have Communism.''

He is a "terrorist" under the FBI definition and the NDAA. The only, ONLY reason he may not vanish down a bottomless pit of indefinite detention is the high profile he has in the media. Then again, he may just disappear.

"By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail."- Ben Franklin

A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - Robert A. Heinlein - "Time Enough For Love"

I have a universal translator. A large bore rifle. It speaks louder than words and will translate you to the afterlife instantly. - Self

"The American people will never knowingly adopt Socialism. But under the name of 'liberalism' they will adopt every fragment of the Socialist program, until one day America will be a Socialist nation, without knowing how it happened."

Nikita Khrushchev:

"We cannot expect Americans to jump from capitalism to Communism, but we can assist their elected leaders in giving Americans doses of socialism until they suddenly awake to find out they have Communism.''

If only they were here today to see the truth they spoke.

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I personally think the US has tilted past comminunisum with less than 50% of the population financing the whole country.
Were actually to the point that the population will fight for socialism, try to eliminate Social Security.

I would really like to see the NRA and ACLU team up and take this to trial. The guy is screwed if convicted. Anybody hear of a defense fund getting set up?

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The NRA and the ACLU teaming up together??? Oh yes...they made a film about it called 'The Odd Couple.

Now if the dude had have employed a body guard to pack the heat, his hands would have been clean. Even so, the jurisdictional application of labyrynthine gun laws is clearly the problem, not his means of securing his guns in transit.

Rules are for the guidance of the wise, and the blind obedience of fools. - unsourced

To deny your oppressor's, or your own humanity is to descend into barbarism. - V. Chelloveck

Survival is a battle for the mind...mainly one's own. - V. Chelloveck

A beautiful idea founded on faulty reasoning is like a turd wrapped in gold foil, tinsel and glitter. Neither are wholesome if swollowed whole! - V. Chelloveck

What is a religion, but a cult with a larger following and a veneer of respectability. - V.C.

The Liberal Drive-by Media needs a scapegoat to pin their frustrations on - he is IT. Not a spotlight I'd care to be under.

From the OP story, it seems the Federal TSA jackboots had no problem with him - he abided by their rules. This is the bonehead decision of New Yawk's "finest"....... Maybe if we all do a total boycot of NYC and it's products and services, we can voice our displeasure to them....?

Please use correct English. Show the world Americans aren't illiterate.
There, their, they're are different words. Use them properly.
Lose and loose have different meanings.
"Im" and "Ill" mean nothing without the apostrophe.
Capitalization and punctuation are your friends.
Text-speak and hashtags get you into the ignore list.
Commas are NOT your friend when used in large herds......

The Airports are owned by the Port Authorities... The FAA and TSA just enforce Federal Law within their Jurisdictions. What he was arrested for, is a City, and, or, State Statute, which is enforced by the Port Authority Police Force NOT the FEDs, or TSA. The Only thing this Dude wrong, is his case of the TERMINALLY STUPIDITY. If He didn't research the local Statutes, that is his problem, and he will be paying for it, with his Gun Rights. His only chance is to challenge the local and States Statutes in Federal Court, as a violation of his 2nd Amendment Rights, as a citizen of the USA. That is a Very Long Row to Hoe, and would be VERY Costly. I doubt he has the Funds to do it. We will see, what happens, but to go up against Shummer and that Goofy NYC Mayor, is a VERY Tough Go.... ..... YMMV.....

Bruce in alaska (BTPost) An Atheist will never be able to say, "I TOLD YOU SO"!! ....